Scenes from election day

Today is election day in Richmond!  I hope that if you haven't already voted, you take the time to cast your vote at one of the three convenient voting centers in town, before 6 PM.  I'll be posting updates about the day on my Twitter and Facebook accounts and to subscribers of my mailing list.  The Palladium-Item is hosting a live chat all day long and you can tweet your comments/questions by including the hashtag #richmondvotes.

If you'd like to join me as the results come in tonight, I'll be on the third floor of the Richmond Municipal Building sometime after 6 PM.

All morning, I've been out at the voting centers greeting voters as they arrive.   It's been a little wet and chilly, but well worth it in terms of the great exchanges I've had with people.  Some things I've heard and seen:

• "If you win, can you promise you'll make it stop raining?"
• "This is the first time I've ever voted on a Democratic ballot - it was the one with some good candidates to choose from."
• "The Republican ballot is boring."
• A number of people have mentioned seeing me on the P-I Live! episode I recorded with other At-Large Democratic candidates and basing their vote on my performance there.
• When I thank people for voting, a number have said "It's an honor" or "It's a privilege"
• "Oh hi, are you a greeter here today?  Wait, you're running for office?"
• "It means a lot to me that you are standing here and other candidates aren't."
• A small number of people have expressed pessimism about Richmond's future, but still feel compelled to do their part and vote.
• Most people have expressed excitement about moving Richmond forward.  "We just need some new people in office to make it happen."
• "Don't let me down!"
• "Now, win this thing and do a good job!"

I'll do my best.

It's somewhat odd and slightly disconcerting to know that by standing in front of the voting centers as people go in, I'm making an impression that might actually affect their vote a few minutes later. It's great to know that face-to-face interactions count for something, but one always wants to hope that voters are basing their decisions on research and carefully formed opinions, not a last minute handshake.  Perhaps I'm not yet ready to succumb to the realities of modern electoral psychology. 🙂

Regardless, I've been honored and humbled by each person who has let me know that I got their vote today.

More soon!

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